Great Gear That’ll Make You Healthier in the New Year

One of the most important lessons I learned as an illustration major in college is that an artist is only as good as his or her supplies—meaning that starting a new project without the best possible tools put me at an instant disadvantage. So even when the trade-off was pre-paid cafeteria dinners for a week (gag), I saved up for fancy sable brushes and highly pigmented paints. The investment always showed in my work.

Since I graduated and began my writing career, I’ve stopped my regular Dick Blick splurges—but not the habit of spending money on my goals. Right now, I’m focusing my funds on great gear to start 2013 off right. In the slideshow below, I’ve included 11 things guaranteed to make this upcoming year a healthy one.